Marketing Articles

Cost-Cutting Strategies

In the latest installment of Barry D. The Lab Guy, Laboratory Owner Mike Hill explains his strategies for protecting the bottom line.

Continuing Education: the #1 Strategy to Connect With Clients

For years, Laboratory Co-Owner Marc Daichman has been sponsoring continuing education events for dentists at least once a week. He finds it to be the best, fastest and easiest way to connect with clients and build his business.

From the Series: Publisher's Page

Scrambling Through Thick and Thin Or, Marketing When Times Are Tough

Make sure you fill a market need, know how to find the clients in that target market, become their trusted advisor and make sure your work lives up to the standards they expect.

From the Series: Publisher's Page

What's Your Marketing Score?

If a doctor is hooked by the promise of consistency on your promo piece but the value of the claim isn't backed up until the last page, the "consistency" assertion is reduced to a hollow buzzword.

Faster, Smarter, Better: 36 Strategies to Boost Your Business

Have an ingenious marketing strategy? Innovative cost-cutting idea? New way to streamline production? Share your best business boosting strategies with over 3,000 of your peers on THE BRIDGE!

From the Series: Faster, Smarter, Better: 36 Strategies to Boost Your Business

7 Marketing Strategies to Boost Your Business: Share Your Faster, Smarter, Better Marketing Tips Here!

February 2012-- ###Problem: I'd like to boost my laboratory's name recognition in my local community. What are some low-cost public relations strategies? Strategy: Public relations initiatives are a valuable way to promote your company without having to spend big bucks. They can enhance your credibility...

From the Series: Faster, Smarter, Better: 36 Strategies to Boost Your Business

3 Faster, Smarter, Better Customer Service Strategies to Boost Your Business: What Are Your Secrets For Excellent Customer Service?

>In this economy, working faster, smarter, better is the key to riding out the storm. Here are 3 easy-to-implement tips that can lead to a leaner, meaner, more efficient laboratory operation. ###Problem: I want to find a concrete way to reward customers who have remained loyal to us and haven't been...

Laboratory Owners Determined to Persevere in Tumultuous Economy

Our latest How's Business survey shows mixed results for 2011.

Loyalty Rewards Programs: Build Loyalty, Control Cash Flow and Add Value

Loyalty rewards programs are an effective way to maintain strong relationships with your top clients, encourage their repeat business, optimize cross-selling opportunities and regulate cash flow.

Outside Vs. Inside Sales Reps: How Compensation Packages Differ

The primary objectives and responsibilities of an outside vs. inside sales rep differ and so do their compensation packages. Nick Azar offers average salary ranges and guidelines for commission.

Nine Ways to 'WOW' Your Clients With Education

Now more than ever, laboratory owners are stepping into the role of educator to their clients.

On the Dentist's Mind: the Oral-Systemic Connection

Bob Maccario, MBA, looks at this new tren—focused on how a patient’s oral health impacts his overall health—and how you can tap into it by educating your dentist-clients about its practice-building potential.

Investing in Client Continuing Education Pays Off in the Long Run

Sponsoring continuing education programs can have a significant impact on client retention and acquisition, customer engagement, cross selling and business growth.

All Laboratories Are Not Created Equal: Making the Case Against Commoditization

Four laboratories share their strategies for showing current and prospective clients alike they are much more than just a crown in a box.

Michaelangelo Dental Studio: Marketing 'Dental Artistry'

In just four years, Michaelangelo Dental Studio, Tujunga, CA, has grown from a staff of two to 10 and sales have increased 425%. Find out how.

Active Marketing

Referrals are a powerful way of getting new business, but when it comes to fueling the growth of your laboratory, there's nothing like getting active.

Burn It: 5 Ways to Make Your Marketing CDs Sizzle

CDs are a dynamic method of capturing the dentist’s time and precious attention and getting your marketing message out to potential clients.

Five Tips to Perk Up Your Packaging

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but the fact is that we often do. So what does your laboratory's packaging say about the work that's inside?

How to Age-proof Your Customer Base

With many of their clients nearing retirement, lab owners target younger dentists to ensure steady workflow.

Customer Service: What Do Your Clients Want From You?

As substandard service runs rampant in today’s culture, it’s a good time to reevaluate your own service efforts

The Incompetent Customer

When you’re faced with a client who can’t be satisfied and won’t recognize when you’ve extended yourself, you have to consider whether or not he is a good “fit” for your business.

Don't Underestimate "Phone Power"

Handling telephone calls with courtesy and tact is a vital factor in building goodwill and a customer-focused reputation.

Destination Education

Dental laboratories take client relationships to a whole new level by providing continuing education opportunities that combine work and play.

First Impressions: 5 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet For New Customers

You know what they say: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are five ways to cultivate loyalty and make sure first-time customers become long-term clients.

Coffee Stains & the Crown Experiment

In the Crown Experiment, our dentist-consultant who sent out the impressions was a first-time client to these laboratories. Talk about not making a good first impression!

Tough Customers: When It's Time to Say Goodbye

Laboratory owners who have wrangled with difficult clients say it is clear that ending the relationship is crucial to the well-being of your business-and to your peace of mind.

How to Avoid the Tough Customer

How to recognize difficult clients before you start working with them.

Cybermarketing: 8 Ways to Maximize Your Laboratory's Website

LMT took a trip through cyberspace to learn how laboratories are using their websites as resourceful marketing tools

The Digital Revolution - Dental Ed: a Virtual Study Club For Your Dentist-clients

Cutting-edge technology is giving laboratories a more cost-effective way to bring big names right into their facilities for dentist-client education.

Extreme Marketing

Thanks to television shows like Extreme Makeover, The Swan and A Makeover Story, consumers are more aware than ever about ways they can enhance their appearances, including the esthetic possibilities of their smiles.

Face to Face: the In-Person Sales Call

If you’re looking for new business, it’s time to get personal. An in-person sales call presents an ideal opportunity to customize your message for each dentist-client, but if those words strike fear in your heart, don’t miss this coverage.

Objections Overruled

How to work your way around concerns shared by dentists when it comes to switching labs

How to Get Started in Dental Journal Advertising

Some laboratory owners are hesitant to add print advertising to their marketing mix because of the cost. However, with research, planning and patience, you can use this marketing strategy to tap into your target market and identify numerous qualified

Consider Co-op Advertising

If your laboratory routinely uses a particular product and you are interested in keeping your advertising costs down, co-op ads may be an ideal option.

How to Find the Agency Or Designer Who's Right For You

When looking for an agency or designer, interview prospects just as thoroughly as you would potential employees.

How to Reel in Referrals

From testimonials from your dentist-clients to study clubs and Chambers of Commerce, LMT Live! ’s 2000 program in Chicago highlights six ways to reel in the referrals that can lead to new accounts. Also: how to create an effective marketing message.

Laboratories Set Their (web)sites On the Future of Cybermarketing

As many as 75% of all small businesses have an on-line presence, and you can count a growing number of dental laboratories among them.

Marketing Makeover

A look at a California laboratory that was “made over” into a thriving business with top-tier pricing and services

Marketing Facts of Life

Their story illustrates how you can use basic marketing rules to get results.

Marketing Your Technical Expertise

Laboratory owners are using a variety of innovative strategies—from digital business cards to dentists on staff—to effectively market their laboratory’s services and technical know-how.

New and Improved: Revamping Your Laboratory Newsletter

Newsletters are an effective way to educate dentist-clients, announce new products, explain techniques and share industry news.

How to Make Your Newsletter Work

Whether your laboratory is evaluating its current newsletter or just starting out, keep these tips in mind

Nobel Biocare Hits the Airways, Taking It Direct to the Public

The company takes its NobelSmile concept direct to the public with a 30-second, image-focused television commercial airing during high-profile news and talk shows.

Perception is Everything: Piece-of-cake Marketing Strategies

Strategies for marketing your laboratory's services and standing out from the competition.

Start Spreading the Word: 11 Strategies For Building Public Awareness

As part of our 1999 Public Awareness Campaign (PAC), LMT looks at the various ways laboratory owners are educating the public about specific dental restorations as well as dental technology in general.

What's in a (brand) Name?

By trademarking their products, laboratory marketers are creating a demand for a product only they can deliver. LMT offers tips for developing a brand name and maximizing its effectiveness.

Your Name in Lights: a Guide to Getting Press Coverage

Innovative laboratory owners are educating the public about the dental laboratory industry through coverage in local newspapers. Our report includes helpful tips for getting news about your laboratory—and its achievements—in print.

Back-to-basics Marketing Leads to Success at the Lab 2000, Inc.

Dena Lanier started The Lab 2000, Inc. on a bet with her husband, Dennis. Today, through unique and persistent marketing techniques, Dena has grown the laboratory to a successful 30-person operation.

'Farmer' Marketing: How One New Jersey Lab Cultivates New Clients

High-energy and sales-savvy, Marc Daichman has long been known for his out-of-the-box marketing strategies. Today, Asteto Dent hosts an ongoing education series, offering an average of 15 courses per year and typically gaining anywhere from 10 to 20

6 Ways to Compete With Chairside CAD/CAM

As of September 2006, more than 5,000 dentists in the U.S. have purchased chairside CAD/CAM systems and are fabricating more restorations in-house.